Report: Donald Cerrone vs. Matt Brown Targeted For UFC 206

Surging welterweight contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone was originally set to meet No. 5-ranked Kelvin Gastelum on the main card of this weekend’s (Nov. 12, 2016) UFC 205 from New York, but the bout was scrapped earlier this morning after Gastelum failed to make wait. Cerrone, who was visibly angry about the situation, may not have to wait too long to fight, however, as the promotion is targeting a bout for him at Dec. 10’s UFC 206 according to MMAFighting’s Ariel Helwani:

UFC currently working on rebooking Donald Cerrone on UFC 206 in Toronto, per sources. Could have it wrapped up soon.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 11, 2016

FOX Sports’ Damon Martin confirmed this statement, saying that the UFC is attempting to book “Cowboy” against No. 14-ranked Matt Brown:

Cowboy Cerrone vs. Matt Brown in the works for UFC 206 in Toronto. Verbally agreed. Full story coming soon to FOX Sports. #UFC

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) November 11, 2016

Brown has hit some rough times as of late, losing three of his last four bouts including consecutive losses to Demian Maia and Jake Ellenberger. “The Immortal” is currently scheduled to fight Tarec Saffiedine at Dec. 30’s UFC 207 from Las Vegas, but apparently the UFC has greater interest in him fighting Cerrone.

“Cowboy” has won three straight since moving up to 170-pounds including finishes over Alex Oliveira, Patrick Cote and Rick Story.

UFC 207 is set to go down from Toronto, Canada with the card being headlined by a light heavyweight title rematch between champion Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson.